Battery operated devices

Abstract

A battery operated device such as a road stud comprises a micro-controller, a battery, and a light source. The micro-controller is configured to operate the battery to provide a train of power pulses to the light source, and each power pulse has a characteristic pulse period and a characteristic duty cycle comprising an on-cycle and an off-cycle. The micro-controller is turned on during the on-cycle and turned into a power saving or sleep mode during the off cycle. Setting the micro-controller into the power saving or sleep mode during the off cycle of the power pulse means substantial battery power saved to extend the operation time per charging of the battery.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to battery powered devices, and more particularly to road studs with a battery operated light source. More specifically, although not solely limited thereto, the present invention relates to micro-controller operated road studs with a battery operated light source. The present invention also relates to power saving arrangements and schemes for battery powered micro-controller operated devices and devices incorporating same. This invention also relates to schemes for extending battery life and battery operated device incorporates same.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Power management is important in many battery powered devices, such as battery powered micro-controller operated devices. For example, autonomous remote or wireless devices which require electrical power to operate but have no access to mains power are dependent on the availability of battery power. The operating life of such devices is therefore critically determ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]Setting the MCU into a sleep mode during the off-cycle of the power pulse means substantial battery power saving to extend the operation time per charging of the battery.

[0018]According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery operated device such as a road stud comprising a micro-controller, a re-chargeable battery, a solar panel for charging the re-chargeable battery and a light source; wherein the micro-controller is configured to begin or not to begin charging the battery depending on whether the battery capacity is below or above a predetermined battery capacity and whether the output of the solar panel exceeds a predetermined solar output threshold for a predetermined time. Such a charging scheme reduces the number of unnecessary charging cycles to extend battery life and the predetermined battery capacity may be selected according to the number of reserve days the battery could operate without charging. A 50% battery capacity is selected on practical trial.

Problems solved by technology

However, as the size and costs of such devices often limit the size of the solar panels in such devices, the energy available for battery charging is still limited and improved power management schemes such as power saving schemes are therefore still desirable.

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